Since the inaugural Winter Olympic Games in 1924, Canadian Olympians from across the nation have represented our country with sportsmanship, perseverance and above all, style. For decades, Olympic kits have featured emblematic colours, red and white of course, along with national symbols and partnerships with iconic brands. From nostalgic classics to modern statements, The Omega ranked some of Team Canada’s most memorable looks over the years.
Bronze
Although uncommon, it is not unheard of for two athletes or teams to tie for medals at the Winter Olympics. In fact, it has actually happened 33 times. What is rarer, however, is a three-way tie, which has occurred only once at the 1968 games in Grenoble, France. Today, The Omega (unofficially) breaks that streak as we award the Bronze medal in Canadian Olympic Fashion to three iconic team designs.
Calgary 1988 Winter Olympic Games
If you’re seeking eye-catching and unforgettable style, look no further than a design that paid homage to Western Canadian culture at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Alta. Team Canada athletes wore bold red coats accented with white fringe, paired with white cowboy hats that made a confident statement on the world stage. Created by Calgary-based outerwear brand Sunice, the collection embraced regional identity in a way that felt celebratory and distinctly Canadian.
Nagano 1998 Winter Olympic Games
Simple and practical, this Olympic look still has our hearts. Nagano marked the first year Team Canada was sponsored by Roots, ushering in an era of cozy, athletic minimalism. The collection leaned into clean lines and wearable silhouettes, proving that sometimes understated really is unforgettable.
Lillehammer 1994 Winter Olympic Games
While perhaps not the most exceptional Olympic kit, Lillehammer earns an honourable mention and its place on the Bronze platform for creativity. Featuring bold red-and-gold elements, the collection channeled the iconic aesthetic of the Canadian Mounties. It was theatrical, patriotic and impossible to ignore. This look is placed in Bronze, with points deducted for theatricality over true Canadian patriotism. Though, then again, it is not as if viewers are expecting a beaver costume adorned with recycled maple syrup bottles… too far? The judges think not.
Silver
Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games
Of course, we cannot discuss Canada’s Olympic fashion legacy without highlighting the most recent designs for the 2026 Olympic Games. Lululemon has offered a glimpse into the future of Team Canada style. The ensemble features a Convertible Quilted Wrap Vest layered over a waterproof shell jacket, with a nylon taffeta insulated shacket underneath.
Beyond functionality, the collection emphasizes inclusion, reinforcing Canada’s identity as a multicultural nation through both design and messaging. If history tells us anything, it is that Olympic fashion is never just about clothing. It is about national identity, nostalgia and the statement we choose to make on the world stage.
PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games
Since we are already on the topic of nostalgia, another standout moment was the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics collection. Recognized as one of the best-dressed teams that year, Team Canada’s ensemble featured a hooded, water-resistant parka with bold black detailing. The design was paired with black and red beanies, striking red boots and of course, more red mittens. Cohesive, polished and unmistakably Canadian, it was a masterclass in modern winter styling.
Gold
Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games
Team Canada, from the 2010 Vancouver, B.C. Winter Olympic Games are the first of two to share the podium for the Gold medal in Canadian Olympic Fashion. For those of us old enough to remember the games, 2010 was a defining year of Canadian pride, with designs by Hudson’s Bay that instantly became part of Olympic history. The now-legendary red mittens became the most sought-after souvenir of the Games, with over 3.5 million pairs sold. Athletes were also outfitted with a knitted lumberjack scarf that perfectly balanced heritage and winter practicality.
Sapporo 1972 Winter Olympic Games
At the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan, Team Canada stepped onto the global stage wrapped in striking red wool parkas designed by Inuk artist Germaine Arnaktauyok. Handmade by a group of 12 seamstresses from Iqaluit, the coats featured white wolf-fur-trimmed hoods, caribou antler buttons and bold blue Inuit motifs. More than a uniform, this was a statement. At one of the world’s most-watched sporting events, Canada chose to foreground Indigenous artistry and northern craftsmanship. The detailing was not decorative for its own sake. It was cultural storytelling stitched directly into Olympic history. Decades later, the look remains one of Canada’s most recognizable and symbolically powerful Olympic ensembles, celebrated for centring Inuit design on an international stage.